CHAPTER 6: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS 6.1 Introduction
6.2 The Interviews Findings
The data that is presented below was collected and recorded and transcribed. The data presented is a summary of the findings of the questions below, and some direct quotes from the participants will also appear in parts of the data presentation. The interview data was collected through qualitative methods, however some of the findings (question 1, 2, 3,5,6 & 7 – see Appendix 3) will be presented quantitatively.
6.2.1 Question 1: What is your surname and what is your understanding of its meaning?
In this question, many people were able to provide/give out their surnames but understanding the meaning of their surnames for others was difficult or they had no knowledge at all. Most
78 of those who knew their surnames are those who had done background checks on the names they carry, and those whose surnames are common nouns, therefore it was easy to know its meaning of the word/verb the surname was taken from. The surnames (see Appendix 1) that were not explained or given meaning by some participants, were explained by doing
background checks on the names and also breaking the word down morphologically to understand it, as has been done in chapter 5. All the surnames were given meanings and translated.
Below is a graph explaining how many people knew their surname meanings and those who did not:
6.2.2 Question 2: Which gender do you think your surname represents?
From secondary data collected it was evident that some names and surnames represent a certain gender and this question was to find out if people knew this, therefore finding out which gender their surnames represented. A few participants were able to explain why they think their surnames represent a certain gender, and some just picked a gender they thought their surnames represented. Some surnames that were explained were ‘Mahote’, which a participant said this surname represents the female gender because ‘ukuhota’ (a tradition related to marriage) is only done by females. Also the use of ‘Ma’ as a prefix, which is usually used in most female names.
Surname Meanings
Yes: 42.5% No: 57.5%
79 Another surname that was said to represent the female gender was the surname ‘Mthakathi’
meaning ‘Witch’. This surname is one of the surnames with a bad connotation and back in the olden days amongst the African culture, witches were associated with females. Even though being a witch was associated with women, this does not mean men were not also witches. The surname ‘Zingela’ which means Hunt, the participant explained that back in the olden days in amaXhosa culture, men and women knew their positions in the family and hunting was left to men because they were seen as stronger than females. ‘Mthwalo’ (burden) was another surname, which was said to represent the male gender, the participant said “men usually carried burdens in their households”. As much as this explanation was vague, but I disagree with it because we first have to define what was meant by ‘burdens’ in the
amaXhosa culture and not leave out that women who also had burdens to carry around the household.
Some participants who said their surnames represent the male gender was as a result of their parents marrying and linking that surname to their father. Some participants saw their surnames as gender-neutral, because they believed that their surnames could be used or stem from any gender, for example, surnames like ‘Ginya’ (swallow), and Nyulu (Innocent). Other participants had no knowledge of what gender their surnames represented, and looking through the data some of those who did not know, are those who did not know the meaning of their surnames and some did not think that their surnames represented any gender.
80 Below is graph explaining the results of gender in surnames:
6.2.3 Question 3: Do you think all surnames are names of forefathers?
As stated in chapter 1, surnames have been defined to be ‘sir’ names meaning they are seen as names of forefathers and it was interesting to find out from the participants what they thought. Due to the fact that amaXhosa are a very unique culture it could be that some surnames are misinterpreted to be names of men rather than women. Looking at the results it seems it is the same in all cultures that these surnames are seen as names of men. What I find to be problematic about the findings is that no one questioned whether a forefather
represented both male and female, therefore since the name ‘forefather’ is usually associated with men, it is difficult to shift from that view.
A participant expressed that “Males carry the lineage of surnames”, therefore many people including some participants believe that surnames stem from male names. There are very few surnames, or none that show a feministic side and even those that have been discovered have been historically checked, or the word broken down to understand its meaning. Some
participants expressed that not all surnames are names of our forefathers (amaXhosa), especially those surnames that are of European descent.
Below is a graph showing the results of what participants answered in this question:
Which gender does your surname represent?
Male: 45% Female: 30% Both: 13.75% Do not know: 11.25%
81
6.2.4 Question 4: What are your thoughts on ‘European’ surnames used by amaXhosa?
This question was very open ended and allowed participants to share whatever views they had about European surnames. As amaXhosa we have a number of European surnames used by amaXhosa, but their background is unknown to the African culture (and amaXhosa specifically). In order to understand some surnames one has to do a background check.Some of these surnames were discussed in chapter 4. Many participants gave out the same views and similar to the findings I have presented in chapter 4. Participants not only expressed their views about European surnames, but also about those that are using European surnames.
Some responses were given in isiXhosa and then translated and below is a summary of the findings.
Some participants expressed that these surnames were enforced on black people by white people for their own convenience of referring to them. Many participants expressed that these European surnames were given to amaXhosa (African people also) during colonization, therefore they have no link to amaXhosa. It was expressed that the forefathers who had these surnames are from the West, and that it might be that during exile time great-grandparents met with men from the West and adopted such surnames, or they changed their names so that they will not be found. I agree with the above statement, because even in South Africa people were allowed to change their names and surnames, for their personal reasons.
Do you think all surnames are names of forefathers?
Yes: 82.5% No: 17.5%
82 A participant said “These surnames are used because Africa was colonized by Europeans and enslaved black people, thus, giving them their own surnames as means of owning them and that resulted to black people losing their original surnames and thus losing some of their roots”. The above viewpoint is one of the myths about European surnames used by Africans and has not been proved to be true. Rather, In my opinion, black people were given these surnames because the original surnames they had were hard to pronounce, therefore, they were given easier surnames to pronounce, or some of those surnames were misinterpreted.
Some of these European surnames also came up because of malapropism.
Some participants shared views on how people previously wanted acceptance in the workplace, therefore using their employer’s surname, and this view also is similar to the above and still a myth about European surnames. Some participants even criticized those using European surnames by saying that “they are part of the disrespect of the Xhosa culture”. Those using these surnames are seen to be lost even though they have accepted these surnames, and even though they carry colonial baggage and a reminder of indignity of families that suffered during a brutal colonial time. Another participant even shared and said using a European surname amounts to “loss of identity”.
A participant expressed that these surnames should be changed, as they are not part of our culture as amaXhosa and who we are historically. The participant proceeded to say, “These surnames are inappropriate as they jeopardize the culture of the Xhosa people and because of this others tend to lack interest in knowing what their surnames would have been”. From the above views, participants felt that these surnames have no meaning and stopped the
continuation of amaXhosa surnames and that results in someone not knowing their background.
6.2.5 Question 5: As amaXhosa do you think we influenced the formation of the surnames we adopted?
Looking at how surnames are formulated and that they are mostly similar to common nouns, it was interesting to hear from participants who they think had a role in formulating them.
Many participants expressed views that amaXhosa did not have an influence in the surnames they carry and that they just accepted them from the government of the time, because they were names of their forefathers. A participant particularly said, “These surnames were forced
83 on amaXhosa, they had no choice on names they wanted, therefore I do not think they even influenced the formulation”.
A few participants expressed that amaXhosa had an influence on the formulation of surnames. Some participants expressed the view that, if these surnames are names of
forefathers, that means amaXhosa had an influence in the naming of those people, whether it be a personal name or a nickname, unless the person has a European surname then there is no influence, because the ancestral root is different from that of amaXhosa. A small amount of participants expressed that they do not know who had an influence on these surnames.
Below are results of how participants answered this question:
6.2.6 Question 6: Which one is more important to you, your clan name or your surname? Why?
Surnames are said to have links to clan names and amaXhosa use both. This research shows that amaXhosa people never had surnames before, but used class to differentiate between those with the same first name. Very few participants saw their surnames as being more important than clan names. In summary they thought clan names are irrelevant to the public eye because you use your name and surname on a daily basis. A participant said that, “A surname is important because it is used in high domains and recognised by the government
As amaXhosa do you think we had an influnce in the formulation of the surnames we adopted?
Yes: 16.25% No: 77.5% Do not know: 6.25%
84 than a clan name”. I can agree with the above statement to a certain extent, but I do believe both these names are important because they play different roles in the life of amaXhosa.
Some participants expressed the above notion that both these names are important. A participant shared that, “They are both important because there is understanding that a
surname is just a name used to distinguish the self, however a clan name is their identity, who they are”. In my viewpoint, I agree with the above notion, because if both these names are of forefathers they should be both important to an individual, but unfortunately not everyone will have the same view. Another participant said, “Both are important because I am from a mixed race family and my surname makes me resonate with my dad and clan name with my mother”.
A large number of participants said their clan name was more important, because “a clan name connects one to all the people in their lineage and they have not been influenced by whites,” said a participant. Some participants expressed that clan names show unity amongst families and those we do not know who have the same clan name. Some also expressed that unlike surnames, clan name hold the history of amaXhosa, because the clan praises are names of forefathers, therefore one knows their great great-grandfather through the clan praises and also what the clan was about and why they ended up with that clan name.
A participant said, “A clan name is more spiritual and cultural than a surname”, and I agree with that because clan names are a link to connect with the ancestors and they are used by amaXhosa to praise their ancestors when they are performing cultural rituals. Some
participants expressed clan names as “a source of pride and identity”. This is because when an elder is greeting you, they first want to know your clan name (ungumni?) and your surname comes last. “Clan name because a surname can change anytime”, said a participant.
This is very true, for example when a woman gets married, she changes her surname to her husband’s, but her clan name remains the same.
Below are the results of how participants answered this question:
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6.2.7 Question 7: Some researchers have stated the adoption of surnames was to differentiate between people who have the same first name. In light of that statement and the time we are now in, do you think we still need surnames. Should we respect their meaning more? Or treat them as un-African?
Surnames amongst African people are seen as names or a type of naming that came from the West. Therefore, I was interested to understand what the views of participants are as we have adopted these surnames, do they think they are un-African and are needed. Many participants expressed that we live in a space that does not accommodate people without surnames
largely, because the systems that operate in our country are Eurocentric and would mostly want people to use their surnames, so it is better to respect them because they have been part of the amaXhosa people’s identity for a long time.
A few participants expressed that surnames should be respected and treated as African
because we need them as they are names of forefathers. “We still need them because there are instances where there are people with the same clan name but surnames are different,
therefore surnames can help trace where you come from” said a participant. Moreover, this is very true because when elders ask you your clan name and surname, they would
automatically say, “Oh amaNgqosini akwaJohnson ngawase Tinarha” (The Ngqosini clan who are Johnsons are from Uitenhage). Another participant expressed that, “we use them at
Which one is more important to you your clan name or your surname? Why?
Clan name: 57.5% Surname: 10% Both: 32.5%
86 work, at school and all around the world, and we have already respected them by using them in important domains”.
Some participants said we do not need them because they do not have an important meaning like clan names, because clan names give more understanding of who are amaXhosa
originally, and they help with connecting to the ancestors. “We need them but do not have to respect their meaning. Meanings of some surnames are derogatory,” said a participant. A few participants expressed that they do not mind respecting surnames and treating them as
African, but not European surnames because they have no African background. In relation to this another participant said, “why should we respect them when you can share the same surname as someone else in another race, people respect their clan names more and treat them as African.” A number of participants saw surnames as un-African, but said they will remain important because they are already part many people’s identities and we have no choice but to respect them because we need them.
Below are the results of how the participants answered:
6.2.8 Question 8: What do you think is the role of community with regards to amaXhosa surnames and naming?
As stated in chapter 4, this question was very confusing for participants, and many of them did not answer it and some had to go back to the line because they did not want to lose their
Do you think we still need surname?. Should we respect their meaning more? Or treat them as un-African?
Yes, needed: 83.75 No, not needed: 16.25 Treat African: 67.5 Treat un-African: 32.5
87 place in the que (at Home Affairs). This question came with different views and responses from participants on what amaXhosa should do when it comes to naming and how to teach others about naming.
Participants expressed that elders should play their role in educating the youngsters about the importance of surnames and their history. One participant in relation to the above statement said, “the community influenced how surnames are formed, because surnames were once names of people, so it is important to teach the history of surnames”. Others said the role of the community is to respect other’s names and how they have embraced the names, they carry.